Chapter Eight.

Gabriella 

    It's been two weeks since Elle showed her face here and I honestly can't explain how happy I am that she's off my back, it may not be permanently but at least I don't have to deal with her suffocating remarks. 

"Fabian, do you have any idea why the director asked for us?" I ask nervously, hoping that my recent sketch had maybe gotten to him and he approved them or at least some good news.

"So you don't even know?" He asks, making me wonder what exactly I needed to know. 

"Duh silly, I just said so " I reply and If my reply was rude, screw it cause his facial expression was rude first.

  "I thought you've worked in the fashion industry before?" He asks, and I could smell the sarcasm in that question, what hell does he know, idiot!

"Just get to the point Fabian!" I snap at him. 

 "Fine, miss clueless. Eliana Guitarra is coming to New York and she put out a challenge for the best fashion houses in the country. The best collection of red carpet worthy dresses from each company would be worn by her on her next red carpet event and there's a price of twenty million dollars for the company, that's the summary." He explains, I gasp. 

"Twenty million dollars! Eliana Guitarra and a fashion showdown, this is awesome!" I squeal, he scowls.

 "Yeah it is, that's why Jack asked all ten of us to design something grand finale worthy so the top five could be used for the showdown." He adds quickly.

 "Oh now I get it, but why just five?" I ask. 

"Cause that's the required number! You're so dumb." He answers and walks away obviously to avoid more questions.

  I ponder over it and hope that my design makes it to top five, that would be a great way to start up my success here and show Elle just what I'm capable of.

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    I walk in alongside Fabian, who hasn't stop giving me advice like; "Don't ask any questions, if you have any keep them and ask me later so you don't embarrass yourself and get looked down on. Don't wear a confused expression or else you'll be asked a question and I can bet my life on it, you'll embarrass yourself."  

I knew Fabian was only looking out for even though he can sometimes be the legit definition of a jackass.

   "Why so many don't?" I ask, but he hushes me since we were already in Liam's office and speaking of Liam, we haven't really spoken since that day at his office.

 All we did was nod to acknowledge eachother's presence or say hello but asides that, nothing else and I'm comfortable with just that. We all sit around the conference table with Liam at the far end of the table and Jack right beside him. 

  "The reason I asked you guys here must already be known to you but just in case let me summarise. Eliana has challenge the New york fashion industry for a showdown and you must already know the price."

  "She invited twenty fashion houses in New York and we are lucky to be one of them, which is why Jack asked you guys to design something grand finale worthy and amidst all ten of you, five have been choosen. The designer whose design makes it to the grand finale will come out on stage alongside Jack to acknowledge the collection and you'll also be privileged to design a whole collection for our own fashion show that's taking place in two months." He explains and I freeze. 

OMfreakingG! 

 I slap my mouth shut to avoid squealing out loud. 

 "I'll call out the designers according to how the dresses are gonna appear and well goodluck to you all." He adds and I squeeze Fabian's hands so tightly, I believe the poor guy's blood stop flowing temporarily. 

 Holding a few sheets that looked like sketch sheets, Liam clears his throat and starts calling out the names slowly whilst also handing each person's sketch to them. 

  "Fabian Ashton " He calls the first name and everyone gives a quick applaud, while Fabian keeps smiling proudly. 

"Alexandra Lima." He hands it over to Alex, who heaved a sigh of relief.

 "Martha Gray." He calls out and she squeals in her mouse like voice before moving forward to collect her sketch.

  "Trisha Hammond." He calls next and everyone looked more surprised than happy and even she did not look so happy. She looked quite disappointed and that confused me. 

By now I'd already lost all hope of getting in and I felt a lump form in throat as I felt the urge to cry. Fabian notices and squeezes my hands so I don't cry. 

 "The last name I'm going to call is... Gabriella Johanson." He announces and I freeze. 

 Did he just call my name? Am I dreaming? Is this for real? 

Fabian slaps my arm, jerking me back to reality and I calmly lean forward to collect my sketch sheet and a few people applauded but Trisha and her friends practically stared at me with a look of disgust and confusion on their faces. 

"Congratulations Miss Johanson. If we win the showdown the earlier announced privilege will be given to you and as for other rewards, they will be announced but only if we win the showdown. I wish you all the best. Have a nice day." He says, ending the meeting and we all stand up to leave but he stops us. 

"The selection for the fashion show was made anonymously, we had no idea who design them so we selected randomly. I hope the designers who weren't chosen work harder and respect their collegues. You may all leave now." He orders and we all buzz out.

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  "We are going to the showdown baby! Ah!" I and a few others scream and If you're wondering who is screaming with me, it's Martha and Fabian, yes Fabian. The boy is so excited he hasn't stop squealing like a girl, neither have I. 

"Congratulations Ella, You're the grand finale." Martha says exicitedly.

 "Thanks Martha and congrats to you too sweetie." I reply and hug her again for the umpteenth time.  

"Can you fools stop screaming so much? You're gonna make me deaf!" Trisha's annoying voice interrupts, irritating me beyond words. 

"What's your problem bitch?" Martha snaps, her voice sounding more like a squeal since she has the tiniest voice ever.

 "My problem? Isn't it obvious? Some new girl comes out of nowhere and her first design is gonna be used for the grand finale at Eliana Guitarra's show and you expect me not to have a problem?" She snaps furiously, obviously burning with jealousy and I just stood there to watch the drama unfold. 

"So your problem is jealousy? Well, why am I not surprised? You'd be jealous of a fly just because it buzzes better than you." Martha snaps back, leaving Trisha speechless for a few seconds. 

 "I don't blame you, you choking rat, I blame myself for throwing words with someone as insignificant as you." She sneers at Martha who holds her ground. 

"As for you bitch, I know you're not as innocent as you look and I'm gonna prove it, so better be careful." She threatens and I can't help but compare her to Elle. So much bitterness in one person, absolutely sad. 

  "Prove it in hell you psycho!" Martha yells back and I hug her tightly for defending me, although I'd have preferred to just walk away and ignore her. 

"Thanks Martha." I give her hand a small squeeze before she walks back to her table. 

"Why are you quiet?" I turn to Fabian, who didn't seem the least bit surprised by Trisha's outburst. 

"Maybe cause I saw it coming. I saw the way she looked at you when your name was called and knowing Trisha as well as I know her, she wasn't happy at all. I knew she was gonna talk shit as usual." He shrugs lightly and continued to write something down. 

"Why is she like that?" I ask a pretty stressed Fabian. 

"Trisha is one of the best designers here and normally, she always gets picked and I admit she's good but she's too competitive and I guess you getting pick over her messed with her head. So to wrap it up, she's jealous and she feels threatened." He explains, indirectly hushes me and stopping me from inquiring further. 

  Just when I thought my work life was gonna be peaceful, another bitter witch just had to exist to burst my bubble. Now, that's just perfect.